Sweepstakes casinos are perfectly legal in California and offer an exciting way to enjoy and play online casino games and potentially win real prizes. Converting Sweeps Coins into cash without risking your own has inherent benefits, but how can you play at social sweeps casinos in the Golden State?
California Sweepstakes Casinos
If you’ve got questions about sweepstakes casinos, their relation to social gaming sites, and how they differ from online casinos that cater to Californians from offshore, we’re here to help. This guide will walk you through the process of playing online sweepstakes games in CA today.
SweepsKings treats readers like royalty. Our team works around-the-clock to source you with honest and in-depth information on sweepstakes casinos. Our reviews, guides, bonuses, and coverage are based on hands-on testing and 100+ years of combined industry experience.
We may receive financial compensation if you play at the legal sweepstakes gaming sites we advertise. Still, our content remains impartial to financial or outside influence and is guided solely by our ethos, research, and industry knowledge.
List of Legal Online Sweepstakes Casinos in Cali
1
1.75 million WOW Coins + 35 Free SC
- Paris Hilton ambassador
- Slots, live, jackpots, and bingo
- Evolution Gaming partner
2
1.75 million Gold Coins + 7 Free SC
- 2000+ slots, fish & scratch games
- High Rolla VIP program
- Big discounts on coin packages
3
200,000 GC + 20 Free SC Spins
- Fun Zone filled with promos
- Excellent UI & providers
- Great overall
4
20,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins
- 600+ social casino games
- 40,000 GC + 20 SC for $19.99
- Instant CS responses
5
50,000 Gold Coins + 1 FREE SC
- 30 SC + 200k GC for $9.99
- Ultra-fast redemptions
- Coinback & VIP perks
Promo Code:
SWEEPSKINGS
6
250,000 Gold Coins + 25 Stake Cash
- Instant crypto redemptions
- Highest no deposit bonus
- Live dealer and Original games
7
100,000 Gold Coins + 2 Free SC
- Crypto + fiat payments
- $9.99 for 20 SC welcome bonus
- Live casino & casual games
8
100,000 Crown Coins + 2 Sweeps Cash
- Slots and live game shows
- Available in 40+ states
- iOS app
9
7,500 GC + 2.5 Free SC on Registration
- Jackpot network
- iOS and Android apps
- 1,000 slots and live dealer games
10
15,000 Gold Coins + 3 Sweeps Coins
- TMF Originals & Jackpot
- 425% welcome package
- Skrill and Apple Pay support
11
500,000 Gold Coins + 2 Sweeps Coins
- High daily redemption limits
- Backed by an experienced company
- Excellent mobile UX
12
10,000 Gold Coins + 1 SC Free
- 20,000 GC + 20 SC for $9.99
- Arcade, live, and instant games
- No verification signup bonus
13
500 Gold Coins + 3 Sweeps Coins
- Live dealers, sportsbook & Originals
- Instant redemptions available
- Bingo section too
14
10,000 GC + 2 SC
- Daily free contests
- Evolution-powered studios
- Operates under Rubystone
15
10,000 Gold Coins + 5 Sweeps Cash
- Comes from trusted owners
- 100% on 1st purchase
- Megaways slots
16
Free 50k GC + 1 SC + Daily Wheel
- 24/7 Customer Support
- 2,200+ casino-style games
- Instant card redemptions
17
3,000 GC + Daily Mystery Bonus
- Multiple daily bonuses
- Experienced owners
- Arcade & fishing games
18
100,000 Gold Coins + 2 Free SCs
- Quality & diverse games
- 1 Free SC every day
- Legal in 43 States
19
5,000 Gold Coins + 1 Sweeps Coin
- Highly intuitive lobby
- Automatic coin refills
- Rare providers
20
1,000,000 Gold Coins + 2.5 SC No Deposit
- Live dealers and 2,300+ slots
- Exclusive: 20 Free SC for $4.99
- Free-to-play multiplayer slot
California Gambling Laws: Online Casino Legal Updates
Gambling has always been a complicated issue for the Golden State. Currently, California has a patchwork of laws which cover various gambling options, from land-based card rooms and tribal casinos to charitable games. Below, we’ll try to explain these as simply as possible for you.
Under tribal-state compacts, tribal-run land-based casinos are currently legal, while horse race betting is offered via parimutuel betting at tribal casinos and racetracks. The California State Lottery has the right to legally offer draw-based options and scratch cards, alongside lottery games. Assuming that they meet eligibility requirements (such as not making a profit), charitable gaming providers can also cater to Californians.
Though while the above largely covers in-person gambling, online gambling is another issue. And in this area, lawmakers have been pretty clear. They don’t like it. While not explicitly covered in California’s Gambling Control Act (1994), online gambling has been deemed to fall under the scope of this act — which in short means that it isn’t permitted.
However, that’s not to say these laws haven’t been challenged. And in fact, various attempts have been made to legalize real money casinos in CA. Since 2018, there have been no fewer than five attempts to do so. Bill ACA-16 failed in 2019, and a tribal-endorsed bill (Bill SCA-6) failed a year later. In 2021, a California iGaming bill (Proposal 27) was drafted which made it onto the ballot paper the following year. However, it was voted down (rather resoundingly), effectively ending the Golden State’s bid to legalize online casino gambling with real money at present.
For sweepstakes casinos though, the battle isn’t over. And below, we’ll be going over the ongoing legal developments regarding sweepstakes gaming in California.
June 2023
Former Fliff player Bishoy Nessim takes Fliff to court and seeks $7 million in damages
After claimed losses of $7,000, Bishoy Nessim took the social sportsbook to court, looking for $7 million in damages based on the claim that Fliff was not really free-to-play.
January 2024
Judge Sykes rules that Nessim and Fliff must head to arbitration
Judge Sunshine Sykes rules that the case must be settled by arbitration due to the player having waived his rights to take legal action when he agreed to Fliff’s terms & conditions.
February 2025
Bill AB831 is introduced to change certain tribal-state gaming compact procedures
Assembly Member Ramos introduces Bill AB831. Seemingly written with the intent of changing specific tribal-state procedures, Bill AB831 initially has nothing to do with sweepstakes casinos and as such, progresses with minimal interference.
April 2025
Stake.us faces lawsuit launched by Dennis Boyle
Dennis Boyle sues sweepstakes casino Stake.us on the basis of running an “illegal gambling website.“
May 2025
Ryan Seacrest sued in California for promoting sweepstakes casinos
California resident Aubrey Carillo files a lawsuit against American Idol host Ryan Seacrest — accusing him of helping to contribute to an alleged rise in gambling addiction by way of his endorsement and sponsorship deal with Chumba Casino.
May 2025
Judge sends Dennis Boyle’s lawsuit against Stake.us to arbitration
Judge James Selna sends Dennis Boyle’s Stake.us lawsuit to arbitration due to the player having agreed to do so when he signed up to the site and accepted its terms & conditions.
June 2025
After passing legal hurdles, bill AB831 is gutted and amended to target sweepstakes casinos
More than four months after being introduced, bill AB831 is entirely rewritten — with the new bill focused on attacking sweepstakes casinos. Critics, including SweepsKings, argue that bill AB831’s rewrite has allowed it to unfairly bypass the normal legislative procedure for bills.
July 2025
New AB831 bill passes Public Safety Committee vote and gains approval from Senate Public Safety Committee
The new bill AB831 passes the Public Safety Committee vote. And while heavily debated, it also gains approval from the Senate Public Safety Committee and moves on to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
July 2025
B2 preemptively withdraws sweepstakes casinos from California
B2Services OÜ begins withdrawing its sweepstakes casino brands from California due to the progress of the AB831 bill. They are barely the only ones.
August 2025
AB831 is placed into suspense file
VGW and KEDA join forces to back sweepstakes casinos in California. With little support during the latest hearing, AB831 is placed into suspense file.
All eyes not just in California, but in the larger sweepstakes community are poised on bill AB831, which looks to disrupt the largest sweepstakes market in the US. And we’ll make sure to update this page as the situation changes. For now, sweepstakes operators and traditional gambling lobby groups clash while the bill is being debated in the California legislature.
How You Can Play Online Slots and Casino Games in the Golden State
While real money casinos are off limits in California (at least, right now), social casinos and sweepstakes casinos are perfectly legal if you’re aged 18 or older. The legality of such sites hinges on two clear rules. Any legal site must ensure that:
Neither sweepstakes casinos nor social casinos require their members to purchase anything. What’s the difference between social and sweepstakes casinos, though? The primary difference between the two is straightforward. Social casino sites offer free gameplay for entertainment purposes – no real prizes are awarded, and no real money online casino deposits are required.
At social casinos, you aren’t risking your own money playing there. Instead, you can obtain GC by logging into your account, using promo codes to claim bonuses, being successful in tournaments, or by purchasing Gold Coins from the cashier. However, you can never win anything tangible. You’re always rewarded with free coins, which can be reinvested in games. In short, you’re always playing for fun at social casinos.
Sweepstakes casinos in California work a little differently – again, no real deposits are necessary, and any Sweeps Coins (SC) you win by playing free games can be converted into real cash prizes.
If you like the sound of that, how do you get started? Joining a CA sweeps casino is no different to registering at a real money casino. You can head over to the site in question and use the e-form to register as a new member. Once you have an account (which is free), you may be asked to provide an ID and a utility bill which showcase that you’re over 18 and reside in an eligible state. After that, you will be awarded with the free sweeps bonuses listed on this page to start playing.
How are sweepstakes casinos legal in California?
Sweepstakes casinos are legal in California because they adhere to the Golden State’s “no purchase necessary” law.
You can play for free by acquiring Gold Coins which can be used to play games for fun. While you can purchase GC, the part is that you aren’t required to. Because Sweeps Coins can only be “won” and not “purchased”, and because any real money winnings you can receive come directly from those Sweeps Coins, not Gold Coins, sweeps casinos aren’t in breach of California’s laws.
The above remains true to this day, although the Fliff California Class Action did raise some interesting questions regarding the legitimacy of social sportsbooks. Another case brought against Stake.us in California showed how users are bound to the terms and conditions they agree to on signup, even if they decide to challenge this.
Overview Of The Best Sweepstakes Casinos in California
To help you get started, we’ve hand-picked five of the very best sweepstakes casinos in California:
1. WOW Vegas — Best for Payment Variety
- Legal in California? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 5 SC + 250,000 WC
- Number of Games: 2,000+
- Virtual Currencies: SC, WC
- Payment Methods: Credit Cards, Trustly, Bank Transfers, Skrill, Mobile Wallets
Launched in 2022, WOW Vegas is one of the most-trusted Cali casinos to feature on our list. It has over 2,000 slots, live dealers, shooting games, jackpots, instant win, and bingo games for you to explore, with titles from Pragmatic Play, Betsoft, and more.
Extensive payment providers are this site’s forte, with everything from credit and debit cards to Skrill, Apple Pay, and other methods accepted. Join WOW Vegas today for a 250,000 WC and 5 SC bonus issued over the first three days after registering. Your first $10 purchase is also eligible for a 200% bonus.
2. Rolla — Fantastic Welcome Bonus
- Legal in California? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 1.75 million GC + 7 free SC
- Number of Games: 2,000+
- Virtual Currencies: SC, GC
- Payment Methods: Debit/Credit Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Trustly, Skrill
Rolla is a perfect example of what sweepstakes casinos can be. As while purchases can be made — they aren’t necessary. And users can play through any of the 2,000+ games that they have available with Gold Coins or freely given Sweeps Coins that are part of Rolla’s generous bonuses.
The best of these bonuses is undoubtedly the welcome bonus. As when new users from California sign up through our links, not only will they get 1.75 million Gold Coins, but they’ll also get 7 free Sweeps Coins over 7 days.
3. FreeSpin — Great Option for Combining Crypto and Fiat Banking
- Legal in California? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 200,000 GC + 20 Free SC Spins
- Number of Games: 650+
- Virtual Currencies: SC, GC, Tokens
- Payment Methods: Debit/Credit Cards, Crypto, Bank Transfer
There’s a lot to like about FreeSpin for residents of California. While slot fans may be most excited about the welcome bonus of 200,000 GC + 20 Free SC spins on Gorilla, for my money, there’s an even better reason to get excited about this sweepstakes casino.
And it all has to do with banking. Because when you play at FreeSpin, you’ll get options to make purchases and redemptions through both crypto, as well as via traditional fiat banking methods. And then, there’s the live casino lobby..
4. Lucky.me — Numerous Promos for Existing Players
- Legal in California? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 20,000 Gold Coins + 2 SC
- Number of Games: 600+
- Virtual Currencies: SC, GC
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Cards, Mobile Wallets, ACH
It’s not uncommon for sweepstakes casinos to start slow when it comes to rolling out promotions and rewards for existing members. However, in the case of Lucky.me, they’re off to a rapid start.
And within just a few months, they’ve already been able to fill their website with some of the best SC casino deals: daily missions and rewards, wheel spins, AMOE, tournaments, referral rewards, and many, many more. So if you’re after consistent freebies that rival the best US sweeps casinos in Cali, look no further than Lucky.me.
5. RichSweeps — Huge Selection of Games
- Legal in California? Yes
- Welcome Bonus: 50,000 Gold Coins + 1 SC
- Number of Games: 2,500+
- Virtual Currencies: SC, GC
- Payment Methods: Credit/Debit Cards, Skrill, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Crypto
RichSweeps has one of the biggest libraries of games across all sweepstakes casinos. And once you’ve signed up through our links and claimed their 50,000 GC + 1 SC no deposit bonus, Cali gamers will be able to take part in one of their 2,500+ sweepstakes games.
Slots are of course well represented. But users can also look forward to table games, live casino games, fish games, as well as some pretty unique arcade games.
Why Our Experts Selected These Brands
Why did we pick those sweeps casinos out of the many available to Californians?
Check our review process criteria and draw from it. Ultimately, there are many aspects we look for in CA sweeps casinos, including the following:
Finally, we amalgamate all this information into a review detailing how a sweepstakes casino performs. The five California social casinos featured above scored highly in individual categories and overall.
How Payments Work
While an abundance of free Gold Coins and regular promos ensure that you don’t really need to purchase GC, you can still choose to do so. This is handy, especially if you favor long sessions and really enjoy casino-style games.
You can typically buy Gold Coins from a sweepstakes casino by heading to the cashier and perusing the available packages. There will usually be several; for example, some of those at McLuck Casino include:
- Purchase 4,000 Gold Coins for $1.99 and use them on exclusive GC games
- Buy 50,000 Gold Coins for $9.99 and receive 25 free sweepstakes coins with a special offer.
- Obtain 200,000 Gold Coins for $99.99 and get SC 104 free.
Having found a GC package that you like, you can select a payment method from those available, enter your details and finalize the transaction. Common payment methods at sweepstakes casinos in the Golden State include Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, ACH, e-wallets such as Skrill and PayPal, bank transfers, and other options. Again, you cannot purchase Sweeps Coins directly.
Can you win real money prizes playing sweepstakes casino games?
Gold Coins can only be used to play games, but you’ll acquire Sweeps Coins while playing. These can be exchanged for real prizes.
While GC cannot be traded for cash, SC can if you head to the cashier. Select “Cash Redemptions” or any other similar option. Then, you can enter the amount of SC you want to convert from your balance, choose one of the payment options available, and confirm the transaction. Transaction times vary, but you’re looking at waiting times of 1-7 business days, depending on where you play.
The only requirements is to have a verified account, over the minimum redemption limit, and to have played your Sweeps Coins at least 1x on the games.
Your Gaming Options at California Sweepstakes Casinos
The available games you can choose from at CA sweepstakes online casinos depend on where you play. Again, some gaming sites hide selected games until you’ve made a GC purchase, but most don’t, as this would stray too close to the line when it comes to California’s gambling laws.
The main types of sweeps casino games you can play include slots, table games, and fish games. The latter are particularly popular and not readily available at conventional real money casinos. They typically allow you to target marine animals and fish with cannons to unlock SC prizes. Live online casino games, while theoretically possible to play at online sweepstakes casino sites, are rarer, but they can be found at Stake.us, Casino.click, and Gains.
The types of games you can find in your CA sweepstakes casino will depend on its software providers. Many will feature in-house games, but some offer top titles from recognizable brands commonly associated with real money online gambling. These include NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, M2Play, Betsoft and others. It’s entirely impossible to find top slots like Starburst, Big Bass Bonanza, Sugar Rush, Sun of Egypt, and epic progressive jackpot titles like Neon Valley at sweepstakes online casinos in California, play for free, and win real cash prizes.
Bonuses and Promotions at California Online Casinos
While Cali sweepstake online casinos come packed with promos and bonuses, they tend to work differently than those found at conventional real money and online casino gambling sites. For starters, there is no purchase necessary to snap them up.
Whereas real money California online casino bonuses tend to leave you hamstrung with terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements (sometimes excessive ones), minimum deposit limits, maximum wins caps and more, you’ll find greater flexibility in CA free SCs bonuses.
Common bonuses you can claim include:
Comparison of the Best Cali Online Casinos with Real Cash Prizes
| California Sweepstakes Casino | Welcome Bonus | Games | Best Feature | Apps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOW Vegas | 5 SC + 250,000 WC | 2,000+ | Daily login bonuses, ample payment options | No |
| Rolla | 1.75 million GC + 7 SC | 2,000+ | Extensive welcome bonus, great VIP program | No |
| FreeSpin | 200,000 GC + 20 Free SC Spins | 650+ | Crypto and fiat banking, live casino lobby | No |
| Lucky.me | 20,000 GC + 2 SC | 600+ | Fantastic range of promotions, highly professional service | No |
| RichSweeps | 50,000 GC + 1 SC | 2,500+ | Massive library of games, crypto banking available | No |
Aspects in Favor and Against Sweepstakes Casinos in the Golden State
While a sweepstake casino will never offer you the true online gambling experience you’d get from a state-licensed online casino, there are still certain benefits to choosing to play in this manner from California. I highlight those below. They include:
Pros
- These free casinos are the only legal way to play casino games online and walk away with real prizes in CA
- You can play (and win) without spending real money
- Sweeps online casinos can support original titles found nowhere else online
- Most sites have ample promos and bonuses which offer free coins
- They use virtual coins, instead of real currencies such as USD and cryptos
Cons
- Prizes tend to be smaller at sweeps casinos than at real-money online casinos
- Games tend to come from less high-profile software providers
- Because you’re not risking real money, the games may be a touch less exciting
There are clear benefits to playing at California sweepstake casinos, not least because it’s the only way you can bet on casino games and win real money legally. If you’re ready to play with coins, don’t hesitate to explore our recommended free online casinos or read reviews of our top CA sweeps casinos before signing up as a new player today.
Other Gaming Options for Californian Players
Gaming options aren’t limited to sweepstakes online casinos in California, even if they are the most practical way to play legally.
Brick-and-mortar casinos, while mostly illegal in the Golden State, are operational. There are a handful of cardrooms (admittedly, no new ones have sprung up since 1995) and tribal California casinos you can head to. Over 60 CA tribal casinos have emerged since tribal-California state gaming compacts were signed. The most notable of these include the Cahuilla Casino, the Thunder Valley Casino Resort, Diamond Mountain, and Colusa Casino, with the latter supporting over 1,200 slot machines and popular table games, as well as bingo. It’s no wonder that California tribes have protested sweepstakes casinos, claiming that they are questioning their soveireignity over gambling in the Golden State.
Land-based sweepstakes establishments can also be found. Gizmo’s Cyber Cafe out in Manteca, Modesto’s Riversweeps, and Handyworld in West Sacramento offer a similar sweeps-style service to their online counterparts if you fancy making a day of it.
Online casinos (and sports betting sites) are not currently legal in the Golden State. However, with numerous US states setting up their own regulated industries, we wouldn’t be surprised if the California Gambling Control Commission opened its doors to state-licensed and regulated California casinos soon.
Until then, sweepstakes online casinos represent the safest way for you to play and win real money in a secure, and most importantly, legal environment. Given that, we’d encourage you to take full advantage of the many reputable and respected social gaming options found here. At least take the free money and try them out.
Author: Jon Ridehalgh
Updated:
Jon has been playing slots for 20+ years, he’s seen all of the trends from classic fruit machines to Megaways to tumbling reels to Hold & Win. Jon has spent extensive time working in the slot industry and uses his expert knowledge to produce engaging and highly informative reviews. He is also a sweepstakes casino bonus guru, and if you follow his tips, you’ll have more free sweeps coins than you’ll know what to do with!
Jon has been playing slots for 20+ years, he’s seen all of the trends from classic fruit machines to Megaways to tumbling reels to Hold & Win. Jon has spent extensive time working in the slot industry and uses his expert knowledge to produce engaging and highly informative reviews. He is also a sweepstakes casino bonus guru, and if you follow his tips, you’ll have more free sweeps coins than you’ll know what to do with!
Latest News
News
California Anti-Sweeps Bill Placed Into Suspense File
News
5 New Crypto Social Casino Launches You Might Have Missed
News
NJ Becomes First State to Enforce Sweepstakes Casino Ban in 2025
News
Sweepstakes Casinos That Discontinued Operations in 2025
News
